Starter motor Bosch or VALEO

Sounds like you just need a new starter. Best advice I can give you is to buy a new starter from a reputable brand, like Bosch.

Just had exactly the same problem on my '09, needs a starter. Well more accurately the solenoid that pushes and pulls the starter teeth onto the flywheel is underperforming, and when cold it doesn't get off the flywheel fast enough to keep from barking the starter motor against the faster spinning flywheel.

I bought a Bosch Reman for about $260 with a 5 year warranty, went in with a moderate amount of persuasion. The oil filter, dipstick, oil pressure sensor have to come out to do it. You being from Chicago might have to fight to get the dipstick holder out without breaking it.

I used to have a Bosch starter. Rock solid even well below freezing. Solenoid broke. My current starter is whatever generic garbage they put in, and it doesn’t catch the first time I start it in sub-20F weather.

With a bit of searching, you can find more information about this starter swap. I would get the newer starter. There are so many benefits of the newer starter vs putting in the old and heavy starter that the factory used. Use SR0407X [Bosch number]/09A 911 023BX. You also can use the SR0424X/020 911 023FX but it's not as powerful. The SR0407X starter is for the diesel and has about 2hp to crank over your engine. This is way more power than you will ever need. That starter also is smaller and uses a planetary gear system so it will spin the engine at a faster RPM.

BOSCH SR4151X

I have a Valeo and I definitely noticed an increase in starting power and also less battery usage, over the (probably tired) Bosch starter.

The car cranks like brand new with the new Bosch starter.

It killed what is left of my soul but I mickey moused it. All the starters that match at the parts stores (bosch, ac delco etc) lack the correct plug. Used a couple ugly .250" flat connectors. how embarassing.

All of a sudden one day I started up my car just like normal, let the glowplugs heat then bump the key just long enough to get it started, but this time and every time after, the starter grinds right as the engine fires and as it disengages the starter makes a grinding sound just like i've held the key too long even though I havent. I took the (2 month old rebuilt bosch) starter off and checked everything and its all clean, I greased everything and re assembled. Still the same. The problem is still present on the old starter, we suspected it to be the sprag clutch at napa.

I've already replaced the starter 2 time in the last 3 years, with a rebuilt Bosch starter. I don't think a rebuilt starter should go bad this fast. I put about 15,000 miles a year on the car. Even a chepo starter from the local parts store should last longer than that. So I'm done with Bosch.